KnowledgeWorks Founder is named to ACT board

KnowledgeWorks Founder and board Director Chad P. Wick has been named to the board of ACT Inc., the Iowa-based organization best known for its data-driven assessments taken by students each year as they prepare for college.

Wick has been a leading national voice in education reform, advocating that the education system in the United States transform from its industrial roots to one that is preparing learners to compete and succeed in a global environment.

A Purpose Prize Fellow, Wick in 2011 was honored by KnowledgeWorks subsidiary, New Tech Network, when it established the Chad P. Wick Distinguished School Award for Social Justice in his name.

The award recognizes a New Tech Network school for efforts to close the achievement gap for underserved students and prepare them for college and next-generation careers.

Wick has also worked to achieve equity and respect for diversity inside and outside the education arena.

He played a key leadership role in amending the Ohio constitution to make housing a “public purpose,” which permitted the government to provide funding support to residents and developers for low-income housing.

“I am pleased to welcome Chad to the ACT Board,” said Jon Whitmore, the CEO of ACT. “We look forward to benefiting from his leadership, experience, and innovative ideas.”

A veteran of the U.S. Air Force, Wick has received honorary doctorates of humane letters from both the University of Cincinnati and Youngstown State University.

Before founding KnowledgeWorks, he served as president and chief executive officer of RISE Learning Solutions, president of Mayerson Company, and as a banking industry executive.

KnowledgeWorks President and CEO Brian Ross said Wick’s being named to the ACT board is “a great honor and an opportunity to serve students in new and different ways.”

Wick oversaw the evolution of KnowledgeWorks from its roots as an involved grant-maker to social enterprise.

Today KnowledgeWorks supports the work of three national education-focused subsidiary organizations, New Tech Network, EDWorks and Strive.